Signaling apparatus for telephone systems



(No Model.) 5 Sheets$heet 1.

A F. J. HOLMES. SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

No. 596,509. Patented Jan. 4,1898.

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5 Sheets-Shet 2.

(No Model.)

F. J. HOLMES. SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. No. 596,509.

Patented Jan. 4, 1898.

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P. J. HOLMES. SIGNALING APPAEATUSEOE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. No. 596,509.Patented Jan. 4, 1898.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

P. J. HOLMES.

I SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. No. 596,509. Patented Jan.4,1898.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

P. J. HOLMES.

SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. N .'596,509. Patented Jan. 1,1898.

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INITED STATES PATENT Enron.

FRANK J. HOLMES, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,509, dated January4, 1898.

Application filed March 25, 1896. erial No. 584,884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, FRANK J. HOLMES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Apparatus forTelephone or Telegraph Systems; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby atelephonesubscriber or telegraph-operator may by the actuation of simplemechanism cause the production and continuance at a distant exchange oroffice of code-signals which have definite and understood significanceto the receiving operator, indicating, for example, the service whichthe calling subscriber or operator desires.

The invention may be used in connection with either a telephone ortelegraph system, but it is especially-useful in a telephone'system as ameans whereby any subscriber who may wish to talk to other subscribersof different exchanges in the system or in other divisions or in otherclasses of service may automatically indicate such facts to an operatorat his exchange by means of a code of signals. The advantage of thissystem of, signaling is that the operator may, immediately the signal iscompleted and without any other communication with the callingsubscriber, extend his line to the exchange, division, or class ofservice indicated by the signal, whereupon the operator to whose boardthe line is so extended may answer the subscriber and connect his linewith the instrument of the subscriber called for. The apparatusembodying my invention by which this result is secured includes meanswhereby each subscriber may produce in his linecircuit any number ofelectrical pulsations, either by varying the resistance in or actuallymaking and breaking the circuit. It also includes an associatedsignaling device at the exchange or division of which he is asubscriber, and it also includes devices by means of which theelectrical pulsations in subscribers-line circuit cause the operation ofsaid signaling device in accordance with an understood code; and whilethe signal in each case is dependent upon the number of pulsationscreated in said line-circuit it does not necessarily have any apparentrelation to said number of pulsations. The subscriber does not need tounderstand the code, nor need he be concerned with the number ofpulsations he causes upon his circuit-wire.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings the subscriberoperates that one of the several devices (buttons or levers) before himwhich corresponds with the exchange, division, or class of service towhich the subscriber he wants belongs. The move ment of each of saiddevices causes its characteristic number of pulsations on thelinecircuit, and these different numbers of pulsations are automaticallytranslated by the intermediate mechanism into their correspondingcodified signals, which are produced on the signaling apparatus andrepeated until said translating devices are restored to their normalposition or the signaling-circuit is broken either by the subscriber orby the operator.

The invention consists in the construction, combinations, andsubcombinations of devices and mechanisms hereinafter described, andpointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a partly-diagrammatic View of a signalingsystem embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a development of thecommutator which causes the proper makes and breaks in the localsignaling-circuit to produce the codified signals. Fig. 3 is a plan viewof the mechanism whereby the electrical pulsations on the subscribersline cause the proper row of commutatonstrips to be connected into thelocal signaling-circuit. Fig. 4 is a front view of the preferredmechanism forming apart of each subscribers instrument whereby thepulsations on his line are produced. Fig. 5 is a sectional side view ofsaid mechanism on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional side view online 6 6 of said Fig. at, and Fig. 7 is a view (partly diagrammatic) ofa modified construction of an apparatus embodying the invention.

I will now describe in detail the embodiment of the invention shown inFigs. 1 to 6,

inclusive, although the specific construction are shown, are indicatedby A A.

, constantly by suitable mechanism.

commutator are as many rows 6 of commutawill indicate from time to time,material to the invention as defined in the claims.

The subscribers instruments, of which two Each instrument is connectedby a suitable line-wire a (or wires) with the exchange. The instrumentsmay be on a grounded circuit or on a metallic circuit, as desired, theformer being shown in the drawings.

The line-wire (or wires) of each instrument terminates in a jack F orits equivalent at the switchboard. A signaling device 0 is placed inclose relation to said jack. This signaling device for a telephonesystem is preferably an electric light. For a telegraph system a soundermight be substituted; but for a telephone system an electric light isbelieved to be the best and is perhaps the only device which can be usedpractically and within the space allowable in large exchanges withoutdanger of several signals being confounded. These signaling devices areconnected in an independent circuit, which includes a battery ofsufficient power to operate as many of the signals as will be oper atedat one time. The signal-circuit also includes a commutator (orcommutators) E, which is a part of the apparatus which translate's thepulsations on the subscribers-line circuit into code-signals. Thiscommutator is preferably cylindrical, and it is revolved On this torcontact-strips e as there are exchanges, divisions, or classes ofservice in the system. The contact-strips in each row are differentlygrouped, substantially as shown in Fig. 2 that is to say, in the firstrow the strips are placed equal distances apart. In the second row twostrips placed close together form each group, and these groups areplaced equal distances apart. In the third row each of the groupsincludes three strips. In the fourth row each of the groups includesfour strips. In the fifth row wide strips are used and placed equaldistances apart. In the sixth row each group consists of one wide stripand one narrow strip, &c. Of course the groups may be formed in anydesired manner to conform to the code of signals which is to beemployed. All of these groups are electrically connected, preferablythrough the commutator-shaft, with the battery W, which operates all ofthe signals with which said commutator is associated. Instead of all ofthese strips being on one cylinder it is obvious that each row could beupon a separate commutator, provided the commutators were connected asdescribed. A brush E is associated with each row of commutator-strips,and these brushes are connected each with one of the contact pieces orsprings II, which may be of any suitable form and have any suitablesupport.

Associated and connected with each subscribers signal is acontact-making device which may be moved into contact with any actuatingsaid contact-making device.

of the contact pieces II, and mechanism adapted to be operated by thepulsations on the subscribers-line circuit is provided for In the formshown. a ratchet-wheel G is suitably mounted in front of arestoring-electromagnet J, the armaturej of which is held by spring j inengagemen t with the ratchet-teeth so long as said magnet is notenergized. A sliding operating-pawl d is connected with the armature dof an electromagnet D, which is connected in the subscribers-linecircuit. The

contact-arm g is secured to the shaft 9 of this ratchetG, and as theratchet is moved step by step forward by pawl (Z this arm 9 is broughtsuccessively into contact with the contactpieces H. The shaft of thisratchet and contact-arm g form part of the circuit which includessubscribers signal 0, said circuit being completed when the contact-armg isin contact with any of the pieces H. An independent signal,contactarm g, ratchet G, pawls d and j, and magnets D and J or theequivalents of such parts are provided for each subscriber, while onecommutator E and battery W are common to many signals.

I do not intend to limit my invention to the specific mechanismdescribed,operated by the magnet D, for connecting thesubscriberssignaling device with any of the commutatorbrushes orcontact-strips.Anysuitablemechanism for the purpose is included in the invention,except as said invention is defined by claims which positively andspecifically include the particular mechanism shown.

The operation of the parts described is as follows: The subscriberproduces in his linecircuit some definite number of pulsations. Eachpulsation energizes the magnet D,wherefore each pulsation causes onemovement of the armature forward and backward. Each movement of thearmature moves the ratchet Gr forward one tooth, thereby moving thecontact-arm g into contact with the propercontact-piece H, dependingupon the number of said pulsations. This completes the local signal-lampcircuit, which circuit includes the brush which is associated with saidcontactpiece H, and also, therefore, includes the corresponding row ofcontact-strips upon the commutator. The signal-lamp thereupon begins toflash the code signal which corresponds to said row of strips. Forexample, if two pulsations were produced on subscribcrs circuit thecontact-arm 9 would be moved forward into contact with the secondcontactpie'ce 1-1. This connects into the lam p-circuit the second brushE, whereupon the lamp shows two quick flashes, which are repeated atintervals until the described mechanism is restored to its originalposition. By flashes is to be understood any operation of the signalin gdevice which is appreciable to the sense of the operator.

The restoring of the mechanism to its original position may be effectedin many ways. As shown, it is effected automatically when the operator,after reading the signal, inserts into the subscribers jack F a plug f,which extends his line to the exchange division or class of servicewhich his signal called for. The insertion of the plug completes thecircuit of the restoring-coil J. This coil or magnet retracts thearmature j, releasing the ratchet, which thereupon is returned to itsnormal position by a spring 9 This restoring-coil is connected in thelocal circuit, which includes the battery W, and the wires terminate inthe two jack-contacts f f, which are electrically connected by the plugf. The insertion of the plug likewise lifts the spring f which isconnected with subscribers-line wire, out of contact with the point fthereby breaking the circuit of the magnet D and separating it from thetalking-circuit until the plug is removed from the jack. The subscribersdisconnecting signal may be re ceived on a signaling device in thecircuit of the operators connecting-cord in the usual manner.

It is clear that a great variety of mechanisms could be employed toproduce on the line-wire a the electrical pulsations which will causethe operation of the mechanism one movement of the proper lever, willcause upon the line-wire the corresponding and proper number ofpulsations. Such mechanism is shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 and isdescribed as follows: a

0 represents a box or case which forms a part of the subscribersinstrument, and it serves to support, conceal, and protect the inclosedmechanism. Within the box an electromagnet M is fixed and it is suppliedwith current from a local battery Q. The magnetcircuit is normally open,but it is closed when the movable spring contact-piece m touches thefixed contact-piecem. The movable contact-spring m is extended into thepath of the vibrating armature m wherefore every time the circuit isclosed the armature is moved by the magnetic attraction and brought intoengagement with the contact-spring m, which is thereby moved and thecircuit is broken, demagnetizing the coil and allowing the armature tofall back out of engagement with said contact-spring, the describedaction being repeated automatically until the contactspring m ispermanently held out of contact with the piece m, as hereinafterdescribed. The armature 071 when drawn toward the magnet, closes anormalbreak in the subscribers signaling line-circuit by bringing thecontact-piece a carried by the armature, into contact with the fixedcontact-piece a, thus creating an electrical pulsation on thesubscribers-line circuit a.

A ratchet-wheel or segment of a wheel N is secured to the shaft n, whichis suitably mounted at its ends. This ratchet has one deep notch n and aplurality of shallow notches .n. An escapement-pawl P is pivoted so thatthe tooth p on its end may engage in the said notches. A watch-spring1), which is secured at its ends to the said wheel and escapement-pawl,respectively, acts to impart to the wheel a tendency to revolve in thedirection of the arrow 00 and also to hold the pawl in engagement withthe ratchetteeth. Any form of spring or springs or other mechanism maybe employed instead of the specific spring shown for producing theseresults.

Pivoted on the shaft or and extending out through the bottom of the boxare the levers R B &c. Any number of these levers may beemployedcorresponding with the number of commutator-rows-six being shownin the'drawings, and each has on its outer end a button or finger-piecer, on which appears.

a distinguishing character, as the figures 1 to 6, inclusive.

Associated-with each lever B to R is a stoplever T, which is in the formof a bell-crank. These levers are pivoted upon the rod S. On one arm tof these stop-levers is a pin which lies behind the associated levers Rto R and in contact with them. The other arms 15 of the levers T are ofvarious lengths and serve as stops to limit the rotation of the ratchetN.

Secured to the ratchet N and to an arm n (which is also secured to theshaft 11) is a transverse stop-bar 01 Now when any lever R is movedbackward it swings the corresponding lever T so that the arm t thereofis brought into the path of this stop-bar n wherefore when the ratchetis released, and consequently turns in the direction of the arrow, itsmovement is stopped by the contact of said bar with said stop-arm t. Thelengths of said stop-arm are such that the one which is associated withlever B permits the ratchet to move a distance of one tooth, with leverB two teeth, &c., up to six teeth, which is permitted by the stop-arm2?, associated with lever B. The movement of any of the levers R to Itmoves the escapement-pawl P to release said ratchet by the mechanism asfollows: A transverse bar s is secured to two arms 8 3 which are pivotedon the rod 8, and this bar 8 is so placed that it lies in the path ofthe pawls 4", one of which is pivoted to each lever R R and rests uponthe pin W. This bar 5 extends into a slot p in the escapement-pawl P,wherefore after certain preliminary movement it engages with said pawland withdraws it from engagement with the ratchet, which ratchetthereupon revolves until stopped by one of the arms 6. It should be herestated that an angle-arm 19 which is rigid with said stop-pawl P,engages beneath and upholds the contact-spring 1n so long as I thepawl-tooth is seated in the deep notch 11 but permits it to move andmake contact with the piece m as soon as the pawl has partiallycompleted its releasing movement out of said notch and at all othertimes. Such being the case, it is clear that the armature might beattracted by the magnet M before the ratchet has made its movement,unless the said armature were held for a time. To accomplish thisresult, an arm 3 is rigidly secured to the arm 8 and as said arm 3 ismoved the other arm 8 passes over a projection m on the armature m andholds it down. J ustas one of the levers R to R is completing its stroke(the pawl P having been entirely withdrawn from notch 72 the pawl rslips over the bar .9, whereupon a spring 8 draws the arm 8 backwardagainst a stop 5 and releases the armature. Before the armature is thusreleased the ratchet has been turned by its spring until it was stoppedby the engagement of the bar n with one of the stop-arms i; but when thepawl r slips off the bar 5 the escapement-pawl P flies back into one ofthe shallow notches n in the ratchet-wheel. So long as the tooth of thepawl is in one of the shallow notches the contact-spring m may makecontact with the contact-piece m. It is only when the tooth of pawl Penters the deep notch 41 that the contact-spring m is permanently heldout of contact with the piece m.

To return now to a consideration of the movement of the mechanism, assoon as the armature m is released by the arms 5 it is attracted by themagnet M, the circuit of which is closed. The movement of the armatureproduccs three resultsviz., first, it closes'and consequently creates anelectrical pulsation on the line-circuit a by moving the contact-piece aagainst the piece a; second, it causes a spring-pawl arm m which itcarries, to engage with the ratchet and mechanically move it back onetooth toward its original position, and, third, it lifts thecontactspring on and breaks the circuit of the magnet lVI, whereupon thearmature drops, being no longer attracted by the magnet. This permitsthe spring m to again make contact with the piece m and complete themagnetcircuit, whereupon the described movements are repeated. Thearmature continues to vibrate as and with the results described untilthe ratchet N has been moved to its original position, when the tooth pof the pawl P enters the deep notch 71 This lifts the contactpiece m andpermanently opens the magnets circuit, and the parts are in their normalposition ready to be again actuated.

The number of pulsations on the line-wire a correspond to the number oftimes the armature m is attracted by its magnet, and this correspondswith the number of teeth the ratchet n was allowed to move away from itsnormal position, and this is in turn regulated by the stop-arm t, whichcorresponds with the particular lever B to R which was operated. I haveheretofore explained the mechanism whereby these electrical pulsationsare translated into the corresponding code-signal, wherefore it isunnecessary here to repeat this explanation.

It will be understood by those familiar with this art that the magnet Mis not necessarily connected in a local circuit. It may be connected inthe subscribers signaling-circuit. It is also clear that the vibratingarmature which makes and breaks the circuit, thereby causing thepulsations, need not bethe arma ture of the magnet M, nor any magnetwhich is a part of the subscribers instrument. It may be the armature ofa magnet at the exchange as, for example, the armature of the magnet D.In Fig. 7 such modification is shown. In that View the magnet isconnected in the line-circuit. Its armature performs no function exceptto mechanically move the ratchet N to restore it to its normal position.The arm 19 on the escapement-pawl P holds the spring-contact piece m outof contact with the contact-piece m so long as the pawl-tooth p is inthe deep notch n but permits said pieces to remain in contact at othertimes. In order to prevent the electrical pulsations before the ratchetN has completed its movement and pawl-tooth 19 engages in the propernotch 11, the arm Y is pivoted, preferably, on the shaft of the saidratchet. This arm passes over and rests upon the bar 8'. It has a pin y,which lies beneath but normally out of contact with the spring m. WVhensaid bar .9 is moved, through the engagement therewith of one of thepawls 1" when one of the levers R R is moved, the first result is tomove the arm Y, the pin 3 of which is thereby brought into engagementwith the spring m. This spring is thus lifted and upheld until theescapement-pawl is moved out of engagement with the ratchet, the ratchethas moved, as hereinbefore described, and the escapementpawl has enteredone of the notches n. Then, as before explained, the said pawl r slipsover the top of bar 5, which is then moved back to its normal positionby spring 5 or other suitable means. The bar Y consequently moves backto its original position, which permits the spring m to make contactwith the piece m, thus completing the circuit and creating the firstpulsation 011 the linecircuit.

At the exchange the electromagnet D is connected in the circuit asbefore; but the circuit includes two separable contact-pieces a 0. one,a of which is carried by the armature d of said magnet D. The othercontactpiece, 0, is a spring which remains in contact with the piece 0.until said armature has nearly completed its forward movement, due tothe magnetic attraction. Then the contact is broken, the magnet isdemagnetized,

and said armature returns to its original position, thus again makingthe connection at this point. The armature d is therefore, in theconstruction shown in Fig. 7 and last described, the vibrating armature,which in its movement makes and breaks the circuit and thus causes theelectrical pulsations. Each pulsation causes the movement of thearmature m at the subscribers instrument and the consequent mechanicalactuation of the ratchet N until the escapement-pawl tooth p enters thedeep notch n therein, when, as before explained, the circuit ispermanently broken by the separation of the contacts m and m. Themovement of the armature d has in this case, as before explained, thefunction of moving the ratchet G and attached contact-arm g step by stepinto engagement with the several contact-pieces H, and the number ofvibrations of said armature (1 will, as before, be equal to the numberof teeth which the ratchet N was permitted to move.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a telephone or telegraphsystem, the combination of a device for varying the resistance in theline-circuit one or more times, an electrically-operated signalindicator connected in a local circuit, a plurality of devices which areadapted when connected severally in said local circuit to vary theresistance in said circuit according to a code, and mechanism adapted tobe operated by varying the resistance in the line-circuit for connectingin the local circuit any desired one of said devices, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

2. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of a device forvarying the resistance in the line-circuit, an electricallyoperatedsignal-indicator connected in a local circuit, a plurality ofcommutators each having a row of commutator-strips arranged thereon incodified groups several times repeated, the groups being different inthe different commutators, brushes for the several commutator groups, anelectromagnet which is energized a number of times corresponding to thenumber of variations in the resistance in the line-circuit, a switch forconnecting any one of said commutator-rows and associated brushes intosaid local circuit, and mechanism operated by said electromagnet formoving said switch, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

'3. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of asignal-indicator responsive to electric impulses connected in a localcircuit, a plurality of indicator-controlling devices adapted todistinctively excite said indicator, and a switch for connecting anyoneof said indicator-controlling devices in said local circuit, and anelectromagnet for operating said switch, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

4:. A commutator or associated series of commutators having a pluralityof contactstrips, each row consisting of similar groups of stripsseveral times repeated, the groups in each row being different from thegroups in the other rows, and brushes for said several rows combinedwith a signal-indicator responsive to electric impulses, a switch forconnectingany row of com mutator-strips and its brush in the circuit ofsaid signal-indicator, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

, 5. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of a device forvarying the resistance in the line-circuit, an electromagnet connectedin said circuit, and its armature, with an electrically-operatedsignal-receivin g device, a commutator or commutators having severalrows of contact-strips arranged thereon in groups according to a code,brushes associated with said several rows, and mechanism adapted to beoperated by said armature for connecting into the signal-receivingcircuit any one of said rows of strips and its associated brush,substantially as and 'for the purpose specified.

6. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of a device ordevices for varying the resistance in the line-circuit, an electromagnetconnected in said circuit, and its armature, a ratchet-wheel, anoperating-pawl actuated by said armature, a signal-receiving device, acommutator or commutators having several rows of differently-groupedcontact-strips, brushes associated with said rows of strips, a series ofcontact-pieces which are connected with the severalbrushes, acontact-piece operated by said ratchet and adapted to make contactsuccessively with the contact-pieces first named, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

7. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of asignal-receiving device, a plurality of brushes, a commutator orcommutators having several rows of differentlygrouped contact-pieceswhich are severally connected with said brushes, a contact-piece adaptedto be brought successively against said first-named contact-piece, andelectrical connections between the signal-receiving device and (l) thesignal contact-piece, and (2) all of the rows of commutator-strips, theconnection being through an electrical generator substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

8. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of a plurality ofline-wires, independent devices for independently varying the resistancein the several lines any number of times, and correspondingsignal-receiving devices, with a commutator or commutators having rowsof differently-grouped contactstrips, all of said rows being connectedwith said signal-receiving devices, brushes associated with said rows,an independent electromagnet ineach line-circuit, and devices operatedseverally by said electromagnets for connecting the correspondingsignal-receiving device with any one of the said brushes, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

.9. In a telephone system, the combination of a device at eachsubscribers station with which he may vary the resistance in hislinecircuit any desired number of times, with the following deviceslocated at the exchange of which he is a subscriber, viz., anelectromagnet connected in his line-circuit, the armature of saidmagnet, a commutator or commutators having rows of differently-groupedcontactstrips, an electrical signal-lamp which is connected through thebrushes with every row of contact-strips, and a device operated by saidarmature for connecting any one of said brushes with said lamp, wherebythe light will flash a code of signals corresponding with the associatedrow of contact-strips, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a telephone signaling device, the combination of asubscribers-line circuit, a series of levers, a movable device which bythe operation of said several levers is caused to move differentdistances, mechanism for returning said device to its normal position,and means whereby said device in so returning to its normal positioncauses electrical impulses on the main circuit corresponding to thedistance it theretofore moved away from its normal position, withasignal-indicator in a local circuit, a plurality of commutators havingdifferently-grouped contactstrips, and their brushes, and a switchoperated by said movable device for connecting any commutator and itsbrush in said local circuit substantially as and for the purposespecified.

11'. In a telephone system, the combination of a subscribers-linecircuit, a spring-actuated ratchet, an escapement-pawl, a movable stopfor said ratchet, and a device for movin g said stop and withdrawingsaid pawl, with an electromagnet in a circuit which includes separablecontact-pieces, a vibrating armature adapted to engage with one of saidcontact-pieces and thereby break the magnetcircuit, a pawl actuated bysaid armature for moving the ratchet step by step, and a device operatedby said armature for creating one electrical pulsation on thesubscribers-line circuit for each complete movement of the armature,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

l2. In an electrical signaling device, the combination, of aspring-actuated ratchet, its escapement-pawl, an electromagnet connectedin a circuit which includes two separable contact-pieces, and avibrating armature adapted to engage with one of said contactpieces andbreak the circuit, with a series of different movable stops to stop theratchet at different points, and a series of operating devicesassociated severally with said movable stops, mechanism intermediate ofeach of said operating devices and the escapemen tpawl whereby it iswithdrawn from engagement with said ratchet, apawl operated by saidarmature for moving the ratchet step by step to its original position,and mechanism 7 actuated by said armature for creating electricalimpulses in an independent electrical circuit, substantially as and forthe purpose 13. In an electrical signaling apparatus, the combination ofa spring-actuated ratchet having one deep notch and a plurality ofshallow notches, an escapement-pawl adapted to engage in said notches,an electromagnet in a circuit which includes two separable contacts, adevice operated by said escapement-pawl for holding said contacts apartwhen the said pawl is in engagement with the deep notch,

lever for withdrawing the escapement-pawl from the ratchet, andmechanism actuated by the armature for moving the ratchet step by stepback to its normal position, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

14. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of the maincircuit, and mechanism for creating a definite number of electricalpulsations in said main circuit, and an electromagnet connected in saidcircuit, with a local circuit at the receiving-station, a signalingdevice in said local circuit, a series of devices for creatingelectrical pulsations in said local circuit, and mechanism operated bysaid-electromagnet for connecting any of said last-named devices in thelocal circuit, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

15. In a telephone or telegraph system, the combination of theline-circuit, a spring-actuated ratchet, an escapement-pawl, a movablestop for said ratchet, and mechanism for moving said stop andwithdrawing said pawl, with an electromagnet in a circuit havingseparable contact-pieces, the vibrating armature of said magnet adaptedto separate said contact-pieces, wherefore electrical pulsations areautomatically produced in said 'circuit, and mechanism operated by saidpulsations for returning the said ratchet to its normal position,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

16. In an electrical signaling device, the combination of aspring-actuated ratchet having one deep notch, and a plurality ofshallow notches, an escapement-pawl for engagement with said notches, anelectrical circuit, two separable contact-pieces therein, an arm on theescapement-pawl engaging with one of said contact-pieces and adapted tohold it out of contact withthe other contact-piece while the pawl isengaging in said deep notch but permits it to touch said othercontact-piece at other times, an electromagnet connected in saidcircuit, its armature, mechanism operated by said armature for movingthe ratchet step by step back to its normal position, and

means for producing electrical pulsations in said circuit until the pawlenters the said deep notch, thereby permanently breaking saidcircuit,and means for causing saidratchet to move definite distancesaway from its normal position, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

17. In a telephone or telegraph systennthe combination of a devicewhereby any subscriber may-produce any desired number of electricalpulsations in his line-circuit, with a signal-circuit atthe exchange, asingle electric signal-lamp connected in said circuit, a plurality ofcircuit-closers each adapted to close and break the signal-circuit in acharacteristic manner according to a code, and to repeat saidcharacteristic make and break indefinitely so long as it is connected inthe signal-circuit, and means whereby different numbers of pulsations onthe linecircuit will cause different circuit-closers to be connectedinto the signal-circuit, whereby the difierent pulsations on theline-circuit will cause a repetition of different characteristic seriesof flashes of the lamp, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

I11 testimony whereof I. aflix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

FRANK J HOLMES. Witnesses:

E. L. THURSTON, L. F. GRISWOLD.

